Unbelievable (Pretty Little Liars #4) - dark secrets continues ...

 My Rate: ☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠ (6/10 Skulls)

---

Original Title: Unbelievable (Pretty Little Liars #4)

Norwegian Title: Utrolig

Written by: Sara Shepard

Genre: mystery, suspense

Written for: YA

Pages: 335
Publisher: Harper Teen
Published: 2008

Published in Norway: 2010

My copy: 2008 (Paperback)
Norwegian Publisher: Gyldendal

I read it: July 31 - August 10, 2011
Source: Bought

---

Back of the Book

FOUR PRETTY LITTLE
LIARS’ CHARMED LIVES HAVE TURNED INTO
LIVING NIGHTMARES

Emily’s been shipped off to Iowa to live with her überconservative cousins. Aria’s boyfriend is behind bars – because of her. Spencer’s afraid she was involved in Ali’s murder. But Hanna’s fate is far worse: She’s clinging to life in the hospital because she knew too much.
If these girls don’t start listening to me, Hanna’s going to look like the lucky one.

       - A

---

Friends comes and goes ...

The girls Emily, Aria, Spencer and Hanna is still being tortured by the mysterious A who gives them the messages and makes sure that they remember that person keeps an eye on them ALL THE TIME! Despite from before the girls are trying to keep more together and try to find out who is behind all this. It can be anyone" And when one of the girls ends up in the hospital, they wonder if they should go to the police or not. They are afraid that A will be up to something worse.

As you probably understand, there's now more action and secrets that both get revealed and hidden. A is getting more drastic when that person finds out that one of those girls knows thinks she knows who A is. Then both big and small secrets comes out. And there were some secrets and stuff I got right about (which made me happy!).

In book number four there is A LOT going on. Emily's parents is trying to accept who she really is. They try to accept her and support her - something they really wasn't doing earlier. And Aria is having a hard time to accept that her dad has found someone else. She doesn't want him to leave her mom. She just want the whole family to stay together - which is easier said than done. Spencer feels guilty for something she has done and now that her parents are really proud of her, she is terrified to tell the whole truth. She just want them to be proud of her. And will Hanna survive after the horrible accident she got involved in?

Unbelievable was exciting even though I spent many days to get through it. I didn't spend days reading this book 'cause it was boring but last week I wasn't really in reading mood and took a little break from books which rarely happens! But now I'm back into reading again!

In Unbelievable I think there was a lot of things going on, especially during the end I got a little worried about what is going to happen in the four next books? But anyway, I look forward to continue this series. I've read all the four books that I have in my PLL collection and I have to get the another four as well, of course! I just don't know when but hopefully soon. I have to know how this series will end and I really look forward to continue these books even though book number four got a little "low" score.

---

Flawless (Pretty Little Liars #2) - much better than the first book!

  My Rate: ☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠ (8/10 Skulls)

---

Original Title: Flawless (Pretty Little Liars #2)

Norwegian Title: Feilfri

Written by: Sara Shepard

Genre: Mystery, Suspense

Written for: YA

Pages: 330
Publisher: Harper Teen
Published: 2007

Published in Norway: 2009

My copy: 2008, I think ... (Paperback)
Norwegian Publisher: Gyldendal

I read it: July 18 - July 24, 2011
Source: From my own personal "library"

---

Back of the book

FOUR PRETTY LIARS

HAVE BEEN VERY BAD GIRLS.

Spencer stole her sister’s boyfriend. Aria is brokenhearted over her English teacher. Emily likes her new friend Maya … as much more than a friend. Hanna’s obsession with looking flawless is making her sick. And their most horrible secret yet is so scandalous that the truth would ruin them forever.

And why shouldn’t I tell? They deserve to lose it all. With every crumpled note, wicked IM, and vindictive text message I send, I’ll be taking these pretty little liars down. Trust me, I’ve got enough dirt to bury them alive.

---

No one is flawless, or?

The rumors and the secrets goes on in the second book Flawless as well, and we get to know the girls better when they used to be friends and hang out. But also from the time after Ali has vanished. The girls still get the cryptic messages from A on their cells and computers. All the time they feel spied on by this mysterious person A. The messages they get is small hints about that each of the girls is being observed by someone in a way they can't understand that's possible. All the time they wonder: Who is the person that knows so much about them?

It's not just the common secret the girls share together they must keep but they also have their own personal secrets to take care of. Secrets they want to keep for themselves and not share with the other girls or anyone.

Spencer has done something that her sister and her parents is not very proud of and because of that they treat her like air. Aria knows something about her dad. She wants to tell her mom about it but don't know how and she doesn't want to be the one to hurt her mom either. She doesn't have the guts to tell her what her dad is doing. Emily is unsure of who she really likes and she is dealing with feelings she can't understand. Hanna is having a hard time of liking herself because of the look and the weight. And Alison was the one bossing and manipulating around the other girls before she mysteriously vanished.

During a weird event Spencer, Aria, Emily and Hanna meets again. They find out that they all have gotten cryptic messages from the signature A. Even though it's a long time they have talked and been hanging out together, and feel a little awkward together after not seeing each other for a long time, they agree they must stick together and get through this - whatever that's going on. And try to find out who this A is before the person goes to far. There are some rumors and secrets the girls doesn't want to get published and their common secret must not get known by others. Or their lives will be destroyed forever.

Flawless is the second book in the Pretty Little Liars series and for me I thought it was a lot better and fast paced than the first one. We also get to know the girls a lot better and how their friendship were together before they moved on with their own lives.We also get to know each one of them better. And it's easy to relate to some of them and feel sorry for the situations they are in. Each chapter I was very excited about how everything would continue. It got me very curious!

And I think I know who A is (it's always the least suspect, you know ...) but I'm not 100%  sure. But that's why I like this series. It's not the best books I've read but it's very entertaining and I love mysteries and suspense a lot! And it's always fun to guess who is behind things that's going on. It's probably that's why I like crime novels and mysteries a lot. I like to guess. And I'm very curious to figure out if I'm right or wrong about who A is. I'm just glad that I already have the first fourth books in the series so that I can continue the books right away. It's eight books in all and since I'm enjoying the books so much I gotta get them all someday to know everything that's going on!

Flawless was surprisingly and luckily not so boring like the first book. This was exciting, and I get more and more curious about the characters as well and I just love the cryptic messages from A. They are creative and make me smile. And like I said, I'm glad that I have the first fourth books so that I just can get started on the next book! I want to know what happens next!

---

Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard - a good start of a witty and mysterious book series!

 My Rate: ☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠ (6/10 Skulls)

---

Original Title: Pretty little liars

Norwegian Title: Små, søte løgnere

Written by: Sara Shepard

Genre: Mystery, Suspense

Written for: YA

Pages: 286
Publisher: Harper Teen
Published: 2006

Published in Norway: 2009

My copy: 2007, I think ... (Paperback)
Norwegian Publisher: Gyldendal

I read it: July 12 - July 18, 2011
Source: From my own personal "library"

---

 Back of the book

EVERYONE HAS SOMETHING
TO HIDE – ESPECIALLY HIGH
SCHOOL JUNIORS SPENCER, ARIA, EMILY AND HANNA.

Spencer covets her sister’s boyfriend. Aria fantasizing about her English teacher. Emily’s crushing on the new girl at school. Hanna uses some ugly tricks to stay beautiful.
But they’ve all kept an even bigger secret since their friend Alison vanished.

How do I know? Because I know everything about about the bad girls they were, the naughty girls they are, and all the dirty secrets they’ve kept. And guess what? I’m telling.

- A

---

Are you telling me that you have nothing to hide? Well ... I don't believe you. I'm sure you have something, doing something or know something you don't want to share with anyone. But what?

There are many different lies. There are big, small, innocent and white lies. Why do we lie? 'Cause sometimes it's necessary. It's easy to lie to to get away from trouble or to protect someone from being hurt. Most of us has probably told some lies during life. It's not very nice but it's a very human thing to do.

The five girls; Spencer, Aria, Emily, Hanna and Alison is very good friends until something happens. Together they share a secret that will change each of their lives forever, and their lives turns dramatically upside down in just a few seconds when one of them, Alison, suddenly vanish. The vanishing is big news on TV and news papers. And the rest of the friends automatically split up and keep away from each other. Too much has changes and they also have their own personal secrets to take care of that must not come in spotlight. So, instead they move on with their own lives.

The only thing they get in common is messages on their cells and PCs which makes each one of them feel uneasy. The messages makes the girls feel observed by someone who always ends the messages with -A. The messages is not long, but enough to make them feel uneasy and sure of that someone is watching them all the time. But who is this A person? Is it really Alison who is supposed to be vanished but has faked her own disappearance just to scare her friends a bit or is it someone else behind? If so ... why?

I've been wanting to read this series for a very long time. For me, the television show has been more known than the books and after watching the first two episodes I decided to read the books instead and see the series on DVD later. Maybe have a Pretty Little Liars marathon. But what I saw of the series was really good and I had high hopes for the books. 'Cause the mysterious messages the girls get and the concept was something I really liked a lot. By reading the books I also got to know the characters more and my fave so far is Spencer. She's a clever girl who does it well at school and she knows what she wants and admits her own weakness. My least favorite is Hanna. I feel she gets too anonymous and she isn't not that interesting either. Maybe I'll like her more when I get to know her better? Who knows? We'll see ...

Pretty Little Liars didn't give me the really wow feeling I was hoping for. The beginning was a little slow and it took a little time before things started to happen. But from the middle of the book and towards the end, the pages were just flying away! And even though I knew how it would end I didn't get disappointed. It was a sort of an ending that was right for the book. It's witty and I really wanted to know what would happen next! I was nodding happily at the end and grinning satisfied. It just had to end that way and even though the ending wasn't that surprising, it was enough excitement to make me curious about the next book!

Desperate Housewives fans and readers who likes a good mystery will appreciate Pretty Little Liars. It's a lot of intrigues and uneasy situations along the way. And even though I got a little disappointed of the bit slow paced start in the first book, I'm still very curious about the next one and how the rest of the series will be like!

---

Whispers and lies by Joy Fielding - surprising twist, but too much unnecessary talk.

 My Rate: ☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠ (4/10 Skulls)

---

Original Title: Whispers and lies

Norwegian Title: Løgner fra fortiden

Written by: Joy Fielding

Genre: thriller, suspense

Written for: Adult

Pages: 294
Publisher: ?
Published: 2002

Published in Norway: 

My copy: 2011 (Paperback)
Norwegian Publisher: Cappelen Damm

I read it: June 30 - July 4, 2011
Source: From my own personal "library"

---

(Goodreads)

Terry Painter lives a quiet life in picturesque Delray, Florida. Forty, single, and a nurse at a home for the elderly and disabled, she enjoys a solitary existence in the cozy house she inherited from her mother five years ago.

Terry's tranquil life takes a turn, however, when young, vibrant Alison Simms rents the cottage behind her home. Upon their First meeting, Alison blows into Terry's life like a tropical storm, bringing with her friendship and excitement. Together they dine out, shop in the village square, and indulge in luxurious at-home makeovers. Alison even helps Terry charm the handsome son of one of her dear, ailing patients. For Terry, life couldn't be more perfect.

But after the initial euphoric wave has settled, Terry slowly begins to learn more about her wondrous companion. She becomes acquainted with the small but peculiar circle of friends Alison has accumulated since her arrival in Delray and meets her brother, who unwittingly reveals bits and pieces of Alison's closely guarded past. Terry soon finds that the friendship that once brightened her life has now crashed down upon her, leaving her trapped in Alison's mysterious world and the whispers and lies that fuel it.

Diving deeply into the psyches of her most captivating characters to date, Joy Fielding has emerged with a riveting tale that challenges our most basic assumptions regarding love, friendship, and obsession. Filled with the suspense and intimacy readers have grown to love in her previous bestselling novels, Whispers and Lies is an unforgettable drama of one woman's fight to reclaim her life. 

---

Who can you trust?

Nurse Terry is a middel aged woman who lives by herself after her mom died. After her mom has been sick a while, her life eventually takes an end and Terry is on her own. Since then she has had a tenant living in the cottage by the house, in that way Terry is less lonely. After Eric, the tenant one night escaped without paying the rent the past few months, Terry has been very sceptical about seeking after another tenant. She doesn't want to do the same mistake. She wants a tenant that she can trust. So she takes the chance to seek after a another tenant. She gets contacted by Alison Simms and Terry thinks she is a young and nice woman, and the two of them becomes friends immediately. They do things together all the time. But Terry gets worried when friends of Alison suddenly shows up. She hasn't even heard of some of them, and why did Alison move to Florida? Can Terry trust her?

I don't actually know for sure what I expected from this book before I read it. It seemed interesting and the cover was tempting and creepy. It made me curious about the book. Everytime I come across books that says on the cover that it's a page-turner and has a surprising ending, I have to admit that I always get suspicious 'cause that's not always true. But I still thought it wouldn't hurt to give it a try.

Something about this story got me really interested and even though there were dialogues that didn't really belong in the book in some way I really did like the main character, Terry a lot. Terry was exciting and fascinating to read about. And when it comes to twists and turns in most books I am not easily fooled, I see that sort of things happen before we get to know the whole story I was really fooled this time! I didn't see that coming! And it happens very, very rarely! Believe me! Instead of being mad for not having it right this time I was pleased. 'Cause it's boring to know what already is going on way before we get to know how it all will turn out. I mean, it's good to have right too but it's fun to get fooled as well!

Even though the book had a very surprising twist, the book didn't live up to my expectations. I wish the story was a little tighter and that I got to know few of the persons better who always popped up but most of them was sort of flat and it was a bit hard to imagine them.

But ... all in all Whispers and lies was very interesting and entertaining and it was fun as long as it lasted. Reading it was like watching a TV-produced movie (by Lifetime/Hallmark, but that's not a bad thing). I like those kind of movies too. The book gave me several entertaining hours, no more, no less ...

---

Ghost in the machine (Skeleton Creek #2) by Patrick Carman - I still love the concept and the mysteries in Skeleton Creek!

My Rate: ☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠ (8/10 Skulls)

---

Original Title: Ghost in the Machine (Skeleton Creek #2)

Norwegian Title: Ånden i maskinen

Written by: Patrick Carman

Genre: mystery, conspiracy

Written for: Ya

Pages: 247
Publisher: Scholastic Press

Published: October 1, 2009

Published in Norway: 2011 

My copy: 2011 (Hardcover)
Norwegian Publisher: Cappelen Damm

I read it: April 12 - April 18, 2011
Source: Bought

Challenge(s): 100 Books in a Year

---

(Goodreads)

Strange things are happening in Skeleton Creek...and Ryan and Sarah are trying to find out why. Ryan writes down everything in his journal, and Sarah records everything on her videocam. The two move deeper into the mystery they've uncovered, determined to discover the secrets buried in Skeleton Creek, in the conclusion to Patrick Carman's thrilling series. 

In this groundbreaking format, the story is broken into two parts -- Ryan's text in the book, and Sarah's videos on a special website, with links and passwords given throughout the book.

---

What are some people in Skeleton Creek hiding from Ryan and Sarah?

In this sequel to Skeleton Creek we once again meet the best friends Ryan and Sarah who still isn't allowed to meet each other. After Ryan has broken his leg, his parents thinks that Sarah only leads him in trouble and they don't want to him to see her again. It's for his own good. To make sure that Ryan doesn't meet her, they often check his computer and his cell phone but they don't know that Ryan is way ahead of them when it comes to technology and knows how to fool his parents when they are checking his stuff. He has his ways to delete Sarah's mails and videos without them to find out. It's easy to fool them.

Ryan and Sarah communicate with us, the readers by Ryan sharing his diary with us and Sarah by showing us videos about the places she has been and sharing her thoughts about things she discovers. As we read Ryan's journal, there are pages with illustration and a password. Each time we get this password we have to go to sarahfincher.com and enter the password to watch the next video. There we see Sarah and sometimes other people but mostly Sarah who discusses about what she has found out or showing us clips about the places she has been.

What they are really interested in is the mining dredge which is outside their hometown in the woods. Something odd is going on their and there is a rumour about that place is haunted by old Joe Bush who died in an accident there many years ago. But it's not just in the mining dredge strange things happens but also in their home town Skeleton Creek. Among the things is the sign of a crow which is hanging above the front door at the library. The crow changes direction from time to time. Ryan and Sarah is sure it must mean something. They're sure 'cause they found some clues about it earlier.

In all the mysteries that are going on in Skeleton Creek and the mining dredge, Ryan find it hard to trust his parents. Because he and Sarah has found out there is a secret society in their home town and Ryan believes that his parents are members of it, or he thinks maybe his dad is a member of it, but hes not sure. He just feels he must be aware of him for some reason.

What exactly is going on in Skeleton Creek and what are the members of the secret society called Crossbones is trying to hide?

I've been waiting for this book since October when I finished the last one and I came across this book one day at the book store. I didn't even know there was already a sequel so I got very happy and just had to have it. I couldn't wait to read it 'cause I love the combination of reading the books and watch videos along the way. I think it's a refreshing concept that many young adult readers will love. I'm absolutely sure of it.

The story itself is not that original but I was still happy with the sequel. It's still exciting and grabs my attention. I was enjoying it very much and I'm glad to know that there's a third book too 'cause I thought the ending made me really curious and I really want to know what's gonna happen next.

Even though I'm maybe "too old" to read this book I just must admit that I look forward to find out about all the mysteries in Skeleton Creek!

---

Skeleton Creek by Patrick Carman - interesting consept I want more of!

Original Title: Skeleton Creek
Norwegian Title: Skeleton Creek
Written by: Patrick Carman
Genre: mystery
Written for: YA
Pages: 235
Published: 2009
Published in Norway: 2010 (Hardcover)
My Copy: 2010 (Hardcover)
Publisher: Cappelen Damm (Norwegian Publisher)
I read it: Oct 15Th - Oct 20th 2010

My Rate: ☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠ (9/10 Skulls)

---

Ryan is staying in bed after an accident. His leg is broken and he needs to rest to make it heal again. The accident happened when he and Sarah were investigating something in the woods. They were investigating a mining dredge. The mining dredge got closed a long time ago and it's too dangerous to play around there 'cause it can collapse anytime. It's simply not safe to be there. But there is something about that dangerous place that makes Ryan and Sarah very curious. They are almost certain that some people from their home place Skeleton Creek knows but doesn't want to talk about it. They're keeping something from them and try to make them stay away from the mining dredge for a reason but why? Is it only because it's not a safe place to be or are they hiding something from them?
After Ryan's accident in the mining dredge where he broke his leg, his parents is begging him to stay away from Sarah, 'cause they think she only leads him in trouble. She's not a good friend who always leads Ryan into the one trouble after the other. But how can Ryan stay away from her? They are best friends. But his parents won't allow him to see or meet her again.

But to solve the mysterious case about the mining dredge, Ryan and Sarah has to stay in touch somehow without his parents to know. To stay in touch they send each other mails and videos on their computers. It's the only way they can communicate since Ryan can't go anywhere with his broken leg. He can't just sneak out. But will they solve the mystery about the place in the woods before they get caught?


I've always loved reading and mystery is a genre which has been close to my heart since I was just a kid. I loved books that involved detectives and I read Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, The Bobbsey Twins and similar detective books for kids. Later on as I got older, I started reading Agatha Christie and other similar writers. I've always loved detective novels. It's something I don't get tired of. It's just fascinating to guess and try to find out what's really going on who's the guilty ones before we get to know it and find out if I've guess right or not. It's fun!
Skeleton Creek is not one of these bloody detective novels, but very exciting anyway. Even though this is a book for young adult, I think it was exciting for my age as well. I had never heard of this book before I went in a book store and just looking at some book titles and not sure what to get. I didn't know exactly what I was looking for. Just hoping to find something interesting and Skeleton Creek grabbed my attention 'cause I love the title. It sounded scary and interesting at the same time. The concept too.
The book cover was just as interesting as the title. It sounded interesting with the combination of reading the book and watch videos on the net. I've never tried this concept before and I really liked it. You read a few pages, and there's a drawing with a link and a password you have to type in on sarahfinch.com. There you'll get some clues or get to know what Sarah is showing us things she has taped. And it will help us to maybe solve some of the mysteries. I think it was a lot of fun 'cause it makes you feel like you are the main character Ryan. Ryan who is getting these passwords and watching the videos of his friends. And together you guys are trying to find out what's really going on in Skeleton Creek. I was always looking forward to get a new password and watch the videos. And I love the website sarahfinch.com where we're suppose to write in the password. Cause the design reminds me of the great computer games from the 90s. The same kind of atmosphere.

Even though the story itself is not that original and sometimes could guess what was going to happen next I enjoyed this book a lot. I think this kind of concept will make more young adults read more or even get them into reading. 'Cause this book makes you feel like you are in the mystery. Skeleton Creek is a must read if you're into mystery and detective novels! I'm relieved to know that there will be more books from Skeleton Creek and I'm currently enjoying the second book: Ghost in the machine!









Skeleton Creek (Book trailer)

---

All the pretty dead girls by John Manning - things are not always what they seem to be.

My rate: ☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠ (4/10 Skulls)

---

Original Title: All the pretty dead girls

Norwegian Title: Ondskapens elev

Written by: John Manning

Genre: horror/conspiricy

Written for: Adult

Pages: 516
Publisher: Pinnacle Books
Published: 2008

Published in Norway: 2009

My copy: 2009 (Paperback)
Norwegian Publisher: Cappelendamm

I read it: 24th Jan – 12th Feb, 2011
Source: Bought

---

I didn't buy many books in December 'cause I was saving money for Christmas presents...I always buy a lot of books each month but in December I only bought one. All the pretty dead girls by John Manning. I had promised myself not to buy something for me, but I did when I saw this one cause the plot sounded exciting and the title was pretty catchy if you ask me. So even though I hadn't heard of this writer before I decided to take a chance. It's fun to discover new writer and try something new. 

I didn't have a lot of expectations for this book other than I hoped it was a okay read. I wanted a book to read for Christmas Vacation even though I have many unread books on my bookshelves from before...But hey, buying books is fun, right?

All the pretty dead girls is about a girl named Sue. After being raised by her grandparents after her parents death...she can finally enjoy freedom when she arrives Wilbourne College in her brand new car. She can finally live her own life. She is excited to make things on her own and begin with the studies at Wilbourne College. But her dreams start to change to a nightmare when she time to time discover a screaming face from one of the windows when she walks across the campus. Who does that screaming face belong to and why doesn't anyone else see it? Strange things happen soon in the small town where she attends College. And why does she feels like the strange things involves her? Soon she discovers dark and awful secrets about herself. Who can she trust? 

I spent a few lazy days this Christmas with reading this book. It wasn't all that, but enjoyable read if you want something easy and a book you can relax with. I really liked the Sue character a lot. Very fun and a girl with guts. Someone who knows what to do in different situations. And I also liked Manning's writing style a lot so I'm going to check out more about his books later. 

All the pretty dead girls is nothing special but a good and relaxing read. It didn't take many days to read either, only five days. So this is the first book I've read in 2011. Not bad *lol* 1 of 100. I'm in 100 books in a year reading challenge hosted by Book Chick City. So I have many more books to go but one book so far is better than nothing...And All the pretty dead girls was a good start of 2011.

---